Communication apparatus, method of controlling communication apparatus, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

A communication apparatus for performing automatic reception processing of a calling signal received on a telephone line, by power supplied from a first power supply, includes an image processing unit, a detection unit, a counting unit, and a power supply control unit. The image processing unit performs image processing on image data received over the telephone line, by power supplied from a second power supply. The detection unit detects a calling signal received on the telephone line, by power supplied from the first power supply, while power supplied from the second power supply is stopped. The counting unit counts the number of calling signals detected by the detection unit. The power supply control unit starts supply of power from the second power supply on the basis that the number of detected calling signals counted by the counting unit reaches a predetermined number.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a communication apparatus, a method ofcontrolling a communication apparatus, and a storage medium.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, multi-functional peripherals have been widely used.Each of the multi-functional peripheral has multiple functions such asprinting, copying, and the like in a facsimile device having a facsimilecommunication function and a phone call function. The multi-functionalperipherals is configured so that in facsimile communication, anautomatic call reception mode can be performed which is configured todetect a calling signal and automatically make a response, and in theautomatic call reception mode, a the number of calling signals beforeresponse, that is, how many times the calling signal is to be detectedbefore the response, can be arbitrarily set by operation of an operationunit. Furthermore, as the need for power saving is increased, themulti-functional peripherals is required to stand by while maintaining alow-power state as much as possible when not in use, return from thelow-power state upon detection of the calling signal from acommunication line, and response to the communication line.

In response to the requirement, an apparatus for controlling callreception during a low-power state is disclosed, which includes a callreception ringing unit, a main CPU, and a sub-CPU, and a method is knownin which the main CPU controls the call reception ringing unit only whenthe main CPU is operated in a normal state, and the sub-CPU controls thecall reception ringing unit, when the main CPU is in the low-power stateor while the main CPU is returned from the low-power state to the normalstate (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-5037).

Furthermore, a method is also known in which when a first calling signalis detected in an automatic call reception mode, it is determinedwhether the detection is performed in a low-power state or a normalstate, and when the detection is performed in the low-power state, thecalling signals being one less in number than a set number are countedafter a CPU is booted, and then response starts (Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2000-261565).

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-5037, the sub-CPU isrequired, and the sub-CPU always consumes large amounts of power. Thus,the cost rises with the sub-CPU.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-261565, the responseis always started after counting the calling signals one less than avalue of the set number during sleep, and it is always required toensure booting the CPU within one count.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a configuration described below.

A communication apparatus for performing automatic reception processingof a calling signal received on a telephone line, by power supplied froma first power supply, includes an image processing unit configured toperform image processing on image data received over the telephone line,by power supplied from a second power supply, a detection unitconfigured to detect a calling signal received on the telephone line, bypower supplied from the first power supply, while power supplied fromthe second power supply is stopped, a counting unit configured to countthe number of calling signals detected by the detection unit, and apower supply control unit configured to start supply of power from thesecond power supply on the basis that the number of detected callingsignals counted by the counting unit reaches a predetermined number.

The number of calling signals received is accurately counted, with aninexpensive configuration, while maintaining a low-power state uponreception of a calling signal. Further features of the present inventionwill become apparent from the following description of exemplaryembodiments (with reference to the attached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image printing apparatus to which afacsimile communication apparatus is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a controller unit and a facsimileunit.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are timing charts illustrating operations of thecommunication apparatus.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling acommunication apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating an operation of the communicationapparatus.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling acommunication apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Next, detailed description of preferred embodiments will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

<Description of System Configuration>

First Embodiment

<Embodiment 1>

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image printing apparatus to which afacsimile communication apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is applied. The communication apparatus according tothe present example performs automatic reception processing of a callingsignal received on a telephone line by power supplied from a first powersupply, as described later.

In FIG. 1, a controller unit is denoted by 101 which is configured tocontrol units of the image printing apparatus. The controller unit 101is a section controlling operation of the image printing apparatus, andperforms transmission and reception, conversion, and storage of data,and power control. An operation unit is denoted by 102, and includes anoperation panel configured to receive various operations from a user,and a display device configured to display operational information. Ascanner unit is denoted by 103, and scans an image and inputs the imageto the controller unit 101. A printer unit is denoted by 104, and printsand outputs various types of input images processed by the controllerunit 101. A network is denoted by 105, and a LAN is assumed in thepresent embodiment.

The first power supply 106 and a second power supply 107 are powersupplies each configured to convert a commercial AC power sourcesupplied from a power plug 108 to DC voltage used for the units of theimage printing apparatus. The second power supply 107 outputs powercontrolled by a power supply control signal 109 output from thecontroller unit 101. A facsimile unit is denoted by 110, and connectedto an external telephone or a facsimile apparatus over the telephoneline 111.

In a normal mode, both of the first power supply 106 and the secondpower supply 107 are turned on, but in an energy saving mode, the secondpower supply 107 is turned off. Here, the energy saving mode representsa state in which, when the apparatus does not perform job processing,power feeding to portions is stopped partially excluding the controllerunit 101 and the facsimile unit 110, in order to reduce consumption ofpower from the commercial power source. In the energy saving mode,reception of a job can be detected in the controller unit 101. Upon thedetection, the power supply control signal 109 is switched to transitionto the normal mode, and the second power supply 107 is turned on.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the controllerunit 101 and the facsimile unit 110 illustrated in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2, an image processing unit 201 internally has a control CPU,exchanges or controls data for an objective unit, according to aprocessing mode of copying, printing, facsimile, or the like, andperforms desired image processing on image data. A scanner I/F 202 and aprinter I/F 203 represent I/Fs for connection to the scanner unit 103and the printer unit 104, respectively.

A CI counting unit is denoted by 204, is a CI used for counting a CIreception signal upon facsimile or telephone reception, and has ahardware counter in the present embodiment. A ringing control unit isdenoted by 205, and stops the ringing of an external handset caused bythe reception of the CI. A power supply control unit is denoted by 206,which performs various power supply control in a system, and is operatedby power supplied from the first power supply 106. Furthermore, thesecond power supply 107 is controlled by the power supply control signal109. A CI count value storage unit is denoted by 207, and stores a setring count value in an automatic call reception mode, set by the userfrom the operation unit 102.

Next, description will be made of a schematic block diagram of theinside of the facsimile unit 110.

In the facsimile unit 110, a modem 216 is a modulator/demodulatorconnected to the image processing unit 201, and operated based oncontrol by the image processing unit 201. A network control unit (NCU)is denoted by 208, and transmits and receives a dialing signal over thetelephone line 111 to call a communication partner. Note that, the NCU208 may be included in the modem 216.

A noise removal circuit 209 is a circuit configured to suppresslightning surge, electromagnetic noise, or the like from the externaltelephone line 111, and prevent external transmission of noise from thefacsimile unit 110.

A CI detection unit 210 detects the calling signal (hereinafter,referred to as CI signal) received from the telephone line 111. Whendetecting the CI signal from the telephone line 111, the CI detectionunit 210 transmits a CI detection signal 214 representing the detectionof the CI signal, to the CI counting unit 204. An H relay 211 is a relayswitch circuit configured to selectively connect the connected externaltelephone 212 to signal input from the telephone line 111 through thenoise removal circuit 209, or signal input from the pseudo CItransmission circuit 213. Furthermore, the H relay 211 is controlled bythe ringing control unit 205, using an H relay control signal 215.

Note that, when the H relay 211 is connected to the telephone line 111side, the external telephone 212 is rung by power fed from the telephoneline 111, and when the H relay 211 is not connected to the telephoneline 111, even if the CI signal is received, the telephone 212 is notrung.

The pseudo CI transmission circuit 213 is a circuit configured totransmit a pseudo CI signal to the telephone 212. The pseudo CI signalis a signal transmitted to the telephone 212 to ring the telephone 212being disconnected from the telephone line, when the CI is received froma calling party device over the telephone line 111.

Note that, in the present embodiment, the normal state represents astate in which power supply voltages from the first power supply 106 andthe second power supply 107 are supplied to devices. Upon transition toa low-power state, power supplied from the second power supply 107 isturned off by control of a power supply control unit 206. However, thefirst power supply 106 and the second power supply 107 each inclusivelyrepresent a plurality of types of power supplies, power suppliessupplying power even in the low-power state are defined as the firstpower supply 106, and power supplies turned off in the low-power stateare defined as the second power supply 107.

[Example of Communication Control by Power Priority Setting]

Next, operation performed from first calling signal detection toresponse in the above apparatus configuration, will be described using atiming chart illustrated in FIG. 3A. The operation is performed during astand-by time with low power, when the facsimile is set to an automaticcall reception mode.

Note that, in the present embodiment, a call count in the automatic callreception mode is previously set to three from the operation unit 102,and the call count (=3) is stored in the CI count value storage unit207.

When the CI detection unit 210 detects the CI signal, and transmits theCI detection signal 214 to the CI counting unit 204, the CI countingunit 204 starts counting up. Then, the CI counting unit 204 continuescounting up, until a count value (detection count) coincides with thevalue (predetermined number) stored in the CI count value storage unit207. When the count value is counted up to the set value, notificationof count termination is transmitted to the ringing control unit 205.

The ringing control unit 205 turns on the H relay control signal 215switches the H relay 211 to the side of the pseudo CI transmissioncircuit 213, blocks the CI reception signal from the telephone line 111side to the external telephone 212 and stops the ringing.

The CI counting unit 204 simultaneously sends the notification of counttermination also to the power supply control unit 206, and the powersupply control unit 206 controls the power supply control signal 109 toturn on the second power supply 107, and supplies power from the secondpower supply 107 to the image processing unit 201. The CPU in the imageprocessing unit 201 performs initialization processing during apredetermined time after the power supply from the second power supply107, and then controls the modem 216 to start facsimile reception.

After the reception, a count value register and a ringing control unitcontrol register, not illustrated, in the CI counting unit 204 arecleared, the H relay control signal 215 output from the ringing controlunit 205 is turned off, and the H relay 211 is returned to the telephoneline 111 side.

Operation performed from calling signal detection to response in thenormal state is illustrated in FIG. 3B. In this configuration, thesecond power supply 107 is already turned on and the image processingunit 201 is in an activated state, and thus, immediately after the CIcounting unit 204 detects the CI signals and counts up the predeterminedcount value, the image processing unit 201 can receive the image data.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling acommunication apparatus according to the present embodiment. Inparticular, an example of communication processing relating to ahardware sequencer of the CI counting unit 204 according to the presentembodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4A. Note that, the flowchart of FIG.4A has steps each corresponding to processing performed by the hardwaresequencer of the CI counting unit 204.

In S401, when the CI counting unit 204 determines the reception of theCI detection signal 214 from the CI detection unit 210, the processproceeds to S402 to start counting the CI signal. In S403, counting upis continued until the count value coincides with the value (=3) storedin the CI count value storage unit 207, and when the count valuecoincides with the stored value, the process proceeds to S404. In S404,the notification of count termination is sent to the ringing controlunit 205, the ringing control unit 205 is caused to turn on the H relay211, and the CI signal from the telephone line 111 to the externaltelephone 212 is blocked to stop the ringing.

Then, the process proceeds to S405, the notification of counttermination is sent to the power supply control unit 206, the secondpower supply 107 is turned on by the power supply control signal 109,power is supplied from the second power supply 107 to the imageprocessing unit 201, the image processing unit 201 is activated, and theprocess ends.

Next, an example of control of the CPU included in the image processingunit 201 of FIG. 2 is illustrated in FIG. 4B. Note that, the flowchartof FIG. 4B has steps achieved by execution of a control program storedin the CPU in the controller unit 101.

In S406, after power is supplied from the second power supply 107 to theimage processing unit 201 to complete the booting of the CPU on theinside, the process proceeds to S407. In S407, the CPU on the insidereads a return cause register, not illustrated, of the CI counting unit204, and determines whether returning is caused by detection of the CI.Here, when the CPU determines that the returning is caused by the CIdetection signal, the process proceeds to S408, and the modem 216 iscontrolled to start facsimile reception.

In contrast, when the CPU determines that the returning is not caused bythe CI detection signal, in S407, the process proceeds to S411 toperform processing according to a corresponding cause of the returning,and the process ends.

When the facsimile reception is determined to be finished, in S409, theprocess proceeds to S410. In S410, the CPU clears a count resultregister and a ringing control notification register in the CI countingunit 204. Then, the CPU turns off the H relay control signal 215 toreturn the H relay 211 to the telephone line 111 side, and when a nextCI signal is generated from the telephone line 111, the telephone can berung again.

According to the present embodiment, the communication apparatus has ahardware counter having a simple configuration to count the receptionsignal even in the low-power state, accurately counts the ringing, andthen returns from the low-power state to the normal state. Thus, thecommunication apparatus can accurately count the ringing whilemaintaining the low-power state.

Second Embodiment

In the present embodiment, the automatic call reception mode has powerpriority setting configured to give a priority to reduce powerconsumption, and activation time priority setting configured to give apriority to reduce an activation time. Thus, the user can have desiredsetting through key input from the operation unit 102.

Here, description of the power priority setting is similar to the firstembodiment, and repetitive description will be omitted. Furthermore, anexample of an internal configuration of the image printing apparatus andan internal schematic block diagram of the image printing apparatus aresimilar to FIGS. 1 and 2 of Embodiment 1, and repetitive descriptionwill be omitted.

[Example of Communication Control by Activation Time Priority Setting]

FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating a method of controlling acommunication apparatus according to the present embodiment. An exampleof timing when the activation time priority setting is set is describedin the present example. Note that, in the present embodiment, a callcount in the automatic call reception mode is previously set to threefrom the operation unit 102, and the call count is stored in the CIcount value storage unit 207. It should be considered that processing isperformed determining that a current time corresponds to the activationtime priority setting.

When the CI detection unit 210 detects the CI signal, and transmits theCI detection signal 214 to the CI counting unit 204, the CI countingunit 204 starts counting up. At the same time, the CI counting unit 204sends first CI reception notification to the power supply control unit206, and the power supply control unit 206 controls the power supplycontrol signal 109 to turn on the second power supply 107, and suppliespower from the second power supply 107 to the image processing unit 201.The CPU in the image processing unit 201 performs initializationprocessing during a predetermined time after the power supply from thesecond power supply 107.

In contrast, the CI counting unit 204 continues counting up, until thecount value coincides with the value (=3) stored in the CI count valuestorage unit 207.

When the count value is counted up to the set value, the H relay controlsignal 215 is turned on to switch the H relay 211 to the side of thepseudo CI transmission circuit 213. Thus, the CI reception signal fromthe telephone line 111 side to the external telephone 212 is blocked tostop the ringing. At this time, when the initialization is finished, theimage processing unit 201 promptly controls the modem 216, and startsfacsimile reception.

After the reception, the CPU in the image processing unit 201 clears thecount value register and the ringing control unit control register, notillustrated, in the CI counting unit 204, and returns the count value inthe CI counting unit 204 to “0”. Thus, the H relay control signal 215 isturned off, and the H relay 211 is returned to the telephone line 111side.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling acommunication apparatus according to the present embodiment. Inparticular, an example of communication processing relating to thehardware sequencer of the CI counting unit 204 according to the presentembodiment is illustrated in FIG. 6A. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 6Ahas steps corresponding to processing of the hardware sequencer of theCI counting unit 204.

In S601, when the CI counting unit 204 receives the CI signal from theCI detection unit 210, the process proceeds to S602, notification of CIsignal reception is sent to the power supply control unit 206, and thesecond power supply 107 is turned on by the power supply control signal109. Then, power is supplied from the second power supply 107 to theimage processing unit 201 to activate the image processing unit 201.Furthermore, in S603, counting the CI signals is started. In S604,counting up is continued until the count value coincides with the value(=3) stored in the CI count value storage unit 207, and when the CIcounting unit 204 determines that the count value coincides with thevalue, the process proceeds to S605, and the notification of counttermination is sent to the ringing control unit 205.

After the notification of count termination is sent, the ringing controlunit 205 turns on the H relay 211, blocks the CI signal from thetelephone line 111 to the external telephone 212, and stop the ringing.Then the process proceeds to S606, the notification of count terminationis sent to the image processing unit 201, and the process ends.

Next, FIG. 6B corresponds to an example of control of the CPU includedin the image processing unit 201 according to the present embodiment.

In S607, power is supplied from the second power supply 107 to the imageprocessing unit 201 to complete the booting of the CPU on the inside,and then, in S608, the CPU on the inside reads the return causeregister, not illustrated, of the CI counting unit 204, and determineswhether returning is caused by detection of the CI. When the CPUdetermines that the returning is caused by the CI detection signal, theprocess proceeds to S609 to stand by until notification of CI counttermination is received from the CI counting unit 204.

In contrast, when the CPU determines that the returning is not caused bythe CI detection signal, in S608, the process proceeds to S613 toperform processing according to a corresponding cause of the returning,and the process ends.

When the notification of CI count termination is received in S609, theprocess proceeds to S610, and the modem 216 is controlled to startfacsimile reception.

When the facsimile reception is determined to be finished, in S611, theprocess proceeds to S612, and the CPU clears the count result registerand the ringing control notification register in the CI counting unit204, and turns off the H relay control signal 215. Thus, the H relay 211is returned to the telephone line 111 side, and when a next CI signal isgenerated from the telephone line 111, the telephone can be rung again.

According to the present embodiment, the communication apparatus has ahardware counter having a simple configuration to count the receptionsignal even in the low-power state, accurately counts the ringing, evenif the CPU of a reception unit has the low-power state and then returnsfrom the low-power state to the normal state.

Thus, the number of times of reception and ringing can be accuratelycounted, and, in addition to that, the low-power state can be maintainedduring the stand-by time.

Furthermore, the power priority setting for booting from the low-powerstate after counting the CI, or the activation time priority setting forbooting from the low-power state immediately after reception of the CIcan be selected according to the user's taste, and thus, user'sconvenience can be improved,

According to the embodiments, when the calling signal emitted by mistakeis received during the low-power state, power supply to the imageprocessing unit can be inhibited, and the low-power state can beaccurately maintained.

Other Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention can also be realized by a computerof a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executableinstructions recorded on a storage medium (e.g., non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium) to perform the functions of one ormore of the above-described embodiment(s) of the present invention, andby a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing the computer executable instructionsfrom the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of theabove-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more ofa central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU), or othercircuitry, and may include a network of separate computers or separatecomputer processors. The computer executable instructions may beprovided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storagemedium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of ahard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), astorage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2015-082370, filed Apr. 14, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication apparatus for performingautomatic reception processing of a calling signal received on atelephone line, by power supplied from a first power supply, thecommunication apparatus comprising: a facsimile receiving unitconfigured to receive a facsimile data from the telephone line bycontrolling a modem, by power supplied from a second power supply; adetection unit configured to detect a calling signal received from thetelephone line, by power supplied from the first power supply, whilepower supplied from the second power supply is stopped; a counting unitconfigured to count the number of calling signals detected by thedetection unit; and a power supply control unit configured to startsupply of power from the second power supply to the facsimile receivingunit in a case where the number of detected calling signals counted bythe counting unit reaches a predetermined number, wherein the facsimilereceiving unit starts reception of the facsimile data by power suppliedfrom the second power supply.
 2. The communication apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein power consumption by the first power supply issmaller than power consumption by the second power supply, and the firstpower supply has a low-power state.
 3. The communication apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising: one or more processors; andmemory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the communication apparatus to perform operationsincluding: selecting one of priority setting configured to give apriority to reduce power consumption and priority setting configured togive a priority to reduce an activation time, for the automaticreception processing.
 4. The communication apparatus according to claim3, wherein, while the priority setting configured to give a priority toreduce an activation time is set for the automatic reception processing,the power supply control unit starts supply of power from the secondpower supply to the facsimile receiving unit when the number of detectedcalling signals reaches the predetermined number.
 5. The communicationapparatus according to claim 3, wherein, while the priority settingconfigured to give a priority to reduce power consumption is set for theautomatic reception processing, the power supply control unit startssupply of power from the second power supply to the facsimile receivingunit when the detection unit detects the calling signal and thefacsimile receiving unit starts reception of the facsimile data when thenumber of detected calling signals reaches the predetermined number. 6.The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: atelephone configured to ring by detecting the calling signal; and aringing control unit configured to stop ringing of an external telephonewhen the detection count reaches a predetermined number.
 7. Thecommunication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communicationapparatus performs facsimile communication over the telephone line.
 8. Amethod of controlling a communication apparatus for performing automaticreception processing of a calling signal received on a telephone line,by power supplied from a first power supply, the method comprising:receiving, via a facsimile receiving unit, a facsimile data from thetelephone line by controlling a modem, by power supplied from a secondpower supply; detecting a calling signal received from the telephoneline, by power supplied from the first power supply, while powersupplied from the second power supply is stopped; counting the number ofdetected calling signals; and starting supply of power from the secondpower supply to the facsimile receiving unit in a case where the countednumber of detected calling signals reaches a predetermined number,wherein the facsimile receiving unit starts reception of the facsimiledata by power supplied from the second power supply.
 9. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing a program to cause a computerto execute a method of controlling a communication apparatus forperforming automatic reception processing of a calling signal receivedon a telephone line, by power supplied from a first power supply, themethod comprising: receiving, via a facsimile receiving unit, afacsimile data from the telephone line by controlling a modem, by powersupplied from a second power supply; detecting a calling signal receivedfrom the telephone line, by power supplied from the first power supply,while power supplied from the second power supply is stopped; countingthe number of detected calling signals; and starting supply of powerfrom the second power supply to the facsimile receiving unit in a casewhere the counted number of detected calling signals reaches apredetermined number, wherein the facsimile receiving unit startsreception of the facsimile data by power supplied from the second powersupply.